Nubian Ibex: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Horns and Trunks · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Nubian ibex have sharp eyes: they can make out objects just 3 mm across from up to 30 m away, which helps them find food and spot predators.
2. Male Nubian ibex horns reach around 1 m long. Females' horns are much smaller, around 30 cm.
3. Nubian ibex mothers leave their kids in a sheltered crèche, so they can forage on richer food patches farther from cliffs.
4. Nubian ibex herds are typically up to 20 individuals, but sometimes as many as 50.
5. Fossils show Nubian ibex have lived in the Palestine region for about 150,000 years, without ever leaving.

The quiz

1. How small an object can a Nubian ibex distinguish?

• 30 mm
• 1 m
• 3 mm (correct)
• 17 mm

They can make out objects 3 mm across from up to 30 m away.

2. About how long are male Nubian ibex horns?

• Around 1 m (correct)
• Around 30 cm
• Around 3 m
• Around 10 cm

Male horns reach around 1 m, while females' are around 30 cm.

3. Why do Nubian ibex mothers leave their kids in a crèche?

• To sleep in peace
• To forage on richer food farther from cliffs (correct)
• To hunt for insects
• To escape the heat

The crèche lets mothers seek richer food patches farther from cliffs.

4. What is the usual maximum herd size of Nubian ibex?

• Up to 20 (correct)
• Up to 3
• Up to 100
• Up to 500

Herds are typically up to 20 individuals, sometimes as many as 50.

5. How old are the earliest Nubian ibex remains in the Palestine region?

• About 1,500 years
• About 15,000 years
• About 5 million years
• About 150,000 years (correct)

Fossils show they have lived there for about 150,000 years.

More about the Nubian Ibex

Same week

All lessons

Nature documentaries